Colombia’s recent Law 1715 of 2014 provides a framework for the future planning and use of renewable energy. The country already has a number of projects that focus on renewable energy, such as Public Enterprises of Medellín’s (EPM) 15-turbine wind farm with a total capacity of 19.5 MW, but the Law is expected to promote other uses of unconventional renewable energy sources, such as projects using sugarcane bagasse to generate electricity. (Portfolio 08/27/2014).

Climate change could cost Peru the equivalent of 4 to 6 GDP points, according to the country’s Minister of Economy and Finance. Speaking at the Lima Climate Finance Week conference, Minister Luis Castilla emphasized that the fight against climate change is not incompatible with economic development, but rather is a cross-cutting issue that is relevant to ensure sustained growth. Castilla called for private-public alliances to take on the climate agenda. (Gestión 8/26/2014)

For Central America to solve its food crisis and adapt to climate change, family-based agriculture and greater political will are “fundamental” according to experts from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE). Climate change induced alterations to critical water cycles and soil quality could lead to greater food insecurity. To meet this challenge, governments must start to invest in water- and soil-related rural development projects that will enable rural families to secure their food production. (El Nacional 8/24/2014)

Members of Chile’s Parliament joined activists from Greenpeace to call on the government to pass a “five star” law to protect glaciers, saying “the glaciers cannot wait.” The group highlighted the different types of glaciers and the need to protect all of them as well as areas surrounding glaciers. They also said that the law should prohibit any current or future activity that damages the country’s glaciers, must recognize that glaciers are public goods, and must recognize that the government has responsibility for managing glaciers. The executive committed to responding to these demands before September 21st. (Radio Universidad de Chile 8/26/2014)

Deforestation

In Paraguay a new deforestation map that interprets satellite images to track forest loss revealed the country lost 143,656 hectares of forest between August 2013 and January 2014. The majority of the deforestation, 117,891 ha, occurred in Paraguay’s Chaco region. However, the Ministry of Environment is particularly concerned with the remaining 25,765 ha lost in Paraguay’s eastern region where a zero deforestation law is in force since 2004 that prohibits the conversion of forests. The ministry will use the map to control and intervene in the areas most at risk. (El Tiempo, 8/26/2014)

In Brazil, authorities have dismantled the country’s worst deforestation gang. The group is accused of clearing and burning public lands and selling them illegally to the agricultural sector. The environmental damage they have caused is valued at US$220 million. Police have arrested 8 members and issued warrants for others. In 2009, the Brazilian government committed to reduce deforestation in the Amazon by 80 percent, but last year authorities revealed that the deforestation rate had increased 28 percent between 2012 and 2013. (ABC News 8/28/2014)

Great to see the energy market opening up in Mexico, and especially opening up to the not just the idea but also to the implementation of eco-energy. Solar power is a streamline vision of the future especially in a world of diminishing natural resources and all the political posturing that goes with it. The interest of small coastal cities such as Tulum, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen in solar power is also a great chance for small investors to help topple the energy monopoly.